Club saver

ABSTRACT

Club Saver is an adjustable, removable, and reusable foam rubber golf club shaft protector for use with clubs in a golfer&#39;s bag. Drivers (also called woods), fairway metals (also called fairway woods), and long irons are considered the longest shaft clubs in a golfer&#39;s bag. The shafts of these items are often exposed to shaft damage or scrapes from the shorter clubs during golf play or when transporting clubs.

NOTICE

Colors of device presented are not considered part of this invention.

Club Saver is made from a foam rubber injection mold process. Thismaterial is the same type used in making water sports life vests andwater recreational toys. Club Saver is a one piece foam rubber devicethat is cylindrical in shape to be positioned around a golf club shaftat a desired shaft location when club is not in use. Club Saver's designand material also resists skid and slippage, is water proof and lightweight. This device is easy and safe to be used by golfers of all ages.

Club Saver's dimensions; 1¼″ (o.d.) width by 3¼″ (o.d.) long and havinga 5/16″ (i.d.) full length hollow center adjacent to a ⅜″ wide fulllength side opening (see FIGS. 1 & 4).

These dimensions have an tolerance of (+) or (−) 3% due to the curingcharacteristics of foam rubber during the manufacturing process. Thesetolerances do not disturb the integrity of Club Saver's interned purposenor performance of this invention.

Club Saver's full length side opening extends inward on narrowing angledside walls toward a round hollow center. A “key-hole” style opening asviewed from device end (see FIG. 2). The relationship between ClubSaver's smaller diameter, center-opening, to that of the wider,side-opening, permits ease of installing Club Saver an a shaft whilehaving a clamping action onto the club shaft when the shaft is fullyseated into Club Saver (see FIG. 3). The friction and clamping action ofthe material and design keeps Club Saver positioned on shaft without aneed for elastics bands, straps or zippers to hold Club Saver in place.Considered a one piece slip-on shaft protector.

How to Use Club Saver (see FIG. 3)

-   1. Line up side opening of Club Saver to club shaft.-   2. Line-up Club Saver opening at a desired area of shaft to be    protected (generally in area between club hosel and the golf bag's    top opening).-   3. Push Club Saver from opposite side of opening onto club shaft    until fully seated in center cavity.-   4. Remove Club Saver from golf club by gripping is from the opposite    side of opening and pull outward and away from shaft.

Purpose for Invention

Golf clubs have become more expensive with new high tech materials beingintroduced into their construction. Golf clubs (mainly Driver clubs)vary significantly in size and may require costly protective clubcovers. Also, golfing delays can be attributed to golfers looking for orfussing with their club covers, among other things, during play.Protecting club shafts from damage by neighboring clubs in golfer's bagcan be reduced by using Club Saver on his or hers golf clubs.

Golf club manufacturers have industry standard shaft and hosel widthswith exception of custom made golf clubs for professional tour golfers.

The shaft hosel is a socket on a club head that attaches club shaft toit. The distance between club heads and top of golf bag is the exposedarea of concern where protection is needed most from adjacent Iron clubfaces banging against them. Club Saver's design is not limited to aclub's length since Club Saver can be placed at an appropriate locationon club shaft for protection. This invention is not intended to replacefitted golf club head covers but to add protection to club shafts whereconventional protecting covers lack.

REFERENCE FIGURES SUBMITTED

FIG. 1: Dimensions of Club Saver (side view), pg 4

FIG. 2: Club Saver (key-hole pattern), pg 5

FIG. 3: Club Saver mounted on a golf club, pg 6

FIG. 4: CAD Drawing of Invention, pg 7

SUMMATION OF INVENTION

This invention is to reduce golf club shaft damage, speed up play,lessen golfer frustration to help in better scoring and golf enjoyment.

1. I claim that the club saver is easier to use than traditional golfclub covers.
 2. I claim that the Club Saver protects the shaft of thegolf club while riding in a golf cart or transporting golf clubs.
 3. Iclaim that the Club Saver reduces noise from banging clubs while ridingin a golf cart or transporting golf clubs.